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If my memory serves me, I was one of those who hated it. I didn't like that he was supposed to be half human, I didn't like the chick in it, and I didn't like how it was all "X-Filesish" The whole movie was dark, I think there was a bit with the camera following an extension cord - and the rest I don't remember.

To be fair, I ought to watch it again with fresh eyes - but I have a feeling what really bothered me the most about it is that I don't remember it having any "fun" elements. Maybe it was a case of, Doctor Who taking itself too seriously?

What do other people think?

If Worzel Gummidge and the Third Doctor had a fist fight - who would win?

I'm another person in the "missed it" camp - I was nine when it aired and I remember seeing articles about it in magazines, but I had no clue what the show was about so I didn't pay any attention. I think I thought it was some sort of historical drama, since the Eighth Doctor had that sort of Mozart-esque air about him.

I read though on Outpost Gallifrey that there's vague rumours that McGann might be back to do some more Eighth Doctor movies: http://www.syfyportal.com/news423640.html

I was just out of college when the movie aired, and I really disliked it at the time. Things that bothered me then were the reckless mucking around with continuity -- I mean, going out of the way to reference major items from the original series but then get it so completely wrong -- and the very cliched, "American" feel it had. The original had a quintessentially British style and humor that I enjoyed...and this was gone from the movie. My brother, who couldn't stand any British television let alone Doctor Who, remarked at how brilliant the film was. And this then confirmed to me how awful it must be. And it didn't help that the plot was a bit of a mess...or at least confusing to me as executed on screen.

Ten years older and much mellower, I've re-watched the movie and found a lot to enjoy: Paul McGann, Tardis set design, good final performance from McCoy, great production values and effects...Many of my original criticisms remain, but I can appreciate what the makers were trying to accomplish. I can also see some flaws with the execution that the new series was careful not to repeat. Overall, though, I think it's definitely worth a view.

I was 26 at the time that I saw the TV movie and I remember being so excited about watching it and then... I saw it. The overacting: "Who am I? Who AM I? WHO AM I?" the infamous "kiss" and just plain bad execution has caused me to stay away for 10 years. However, about a month ago I tried watching it again and the only parts I could stand watching were the opening parts with McCoy.

In general, it's a perfect example, in my opinion, of how TV execs from America can ruin a good thing.

If you've not seen it, you've not missed a lot. In my opinion, it's sort of like the Star Wars holiday special. You always hear about it but when you make time to see it, you think, "Why did I waste time on it?"

I will say this: I'm not slamming McGann. I feel bad for him that he happened to have fallen into such a mess. As a doctor, I think he would have been pretty good.

I remember making an "event night" out of it. My best friend from highschool and I both watched Doctor Who back in the day on PBS, so I had him come over and we watched it the night it was on. All in all we mostly liked it, but we were a little annoyed at the obligatory car chase and dents in continuity. But we were just thrilled to be watching Doctor Who again and enjoyed. I still get a little thrill out of it when I watch it again, I just roll my eyes at the appropriate points. If he had until midnight San Francisco time, what would have happened if he landed in London?

I think you're missing out a little by not seeing it. You can acquire it through other means fairly easily. I say you watch it and if it doesn't measure up, at least you saw it. Kinda like me and Evolution of the Daleks.

I'm going "Full Circle" and putting my avatar back to what it was when I first joined. :)

[Quote by: timeflight] Thanks everyone for you helpful memories. I will rent it as soon as I can. I love McGann in the BF audios.

timeflight, I hope you live in the UK because if you don't, you will have to find other means of watching it, since it has never been released on video or DVD in the U.S. I think there is some licensing tie up between Fox (the network which aired it in the U.S.) and The BBC.

I've always really liked the TVM. The core plot's definitely lacking, but I really like how it feels. I like pretty much everything about the TVM except for the mumbo jumbo about the atomic clock.

And honestly I like Eric Roberts better than Anthony Ainley. I predict, in fact, that new fans of the show going back to watch the TVM for the first time will wonder what the hell all these old fans had against Eric Roberts. I think the clear contrast between Simm and Jacobi will make people appreciate Roberts as falling within the spectrum of possible Masters.

"I think of myself as ambitious in casting terms, and I know that Bonnie [Langford] has the potential to make the part totally unirritating . . ." — JNT, 1986

On balance the good outweighs the bad (for me anyway) but the bad still does stick in my craw. McGann deserved better but I believe that Who produced in America would have had a longer lasting negative effect, so in a way I am glad that (In their infinate wisdom ) FOX did not see the merit in picking it up.

In my opinion, the Doctor Who movie is definitely worth seeing. That said, it is a bit of a mess and sort of stupid at points. The ultimate example of this is seen when the Doctor and Grace are riding on the motorcycle, and she comments aloud, "Oh, great. I Finally meet the right guy, and he's from another planet." Not only is that an absolutely awful line, there is essentially no reason for her to say it at that point in time. The movie is full of such stupid moments.

However, there are a lot of good things about the movie. Eric Roberts is good, Paul McGann is good. And most importantly, it really does feel Doctor Who-ish.

I'm glad that plans for a series never worked out, but I'm equally glad to accept the movie as canon. Well... everything except for the "half-human" nonsense. Let's just pretend that never happened.